Arrangement for regulating steam-turbines.



J. KARRBR. ARRANGEMENT PoR REGULATING STEAM TURBINES. APPLIUATION FILED A176111, 1911k 1, 1 1 8,355, Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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J. KARRER. ARRANGEMENT FOR RBGULATING STEAM TURBINES. APPLIGATIQN FILED AUG.14.1911.

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Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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J. KARRER. ARRANGBMENT ma RBGULATING STEAM TURBINB APPLICATION FILED AUG.14, 1911.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

Josef* Karr er J. KARRER. ARRANGEMENT FOR RBGULATING STEAM TURBINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.14. 19111.

1,1 18,355. Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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o i o fri 0m E wml/ehbo? bnessesg JoseiE` Ka1^r`er` M6' Os His Q41/ omweg- JOSEF KARRER, 0F ZURICH, SVVIIZERLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY,

, ASSIGNOR. BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 A CORPORATION OE NEW YORK.

ARRANGEMENT FOR REGULATING SITEAM-TURBINES.

Application filed August 14, 1911.

To c# whom. it may concern lle it known that I, .losnr Karima, citizen of Switzerland, residing at Zurich, Switzerland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems ot and Arrangements for Regulating Steamffurbincs, ol which the following is a spcciication.

My invention relates to overniug mechanism for elastic fluid turbines and the object of the invention is the provision ol an improved governing mechanism of simple reliable construction that will effectively control the speed. of the turbine as the load varies and avoid the objections incident to the leakage oi motive fluid through the valves to the turbine rotor.

For a consideration of `ivhat I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to thc accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating some of the embodiments of my invention, Figure l is a diagrammatic view ot the governing mechanism as applied to a turl bine; Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modifi cation of the governing mechanism of F ig. 1 g Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic top view of the apparatus of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views of other modiiications ot' the invention; Fig. 6 is a sectional View of a turbine having admission valves connected to the governor in n manner similar to that shown in Figi; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6 showing an overload valve in addition to the admission valves, said valves being arranged in a similar manner to those illustrated in Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. l and 6, the turbine is provided with nozzles, discharging dcvices, or admission passages D1. D2. and D1 arranged in sets or groups. through which steam or other elastic fluid passes to the initial venes or buckets of the turbine rotor that comprises a. shaft 9 and a suitable supporting structure for the vanos or buckets carried thereby. While three groups of nozzles or'admission passages are shown in Fig. 6. the invention is not limited to the exact number illustrated.

Steam is supplied to the turbine by a con duit 10 controlled bv a throttle valve V1. This valve is of sufficient size to pass all the necessary fluid to the turbine when wide open without undue restriction. The valve is preferably connected to the piston rod l2 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

Serial No. 844,008.

ol' r. hydraulic or other fluid actuated motor 'li-S. The admission of' fluid under pressure to the motor cylinder and its exhaust therefrom to move the piston K, and its rod is regulated bv a` pilot valve St, whose stem is pivotallv connected to a lever H1. The lever is pivotally connected at one end t0 an axiallyY 'movable member or collar M of the speed governor Il, which is driven directly or indiretti)T from the turbine shaft 9, the other end ot' the lever beingpivotally conu nected to an extension of the piston rod 1Q to form a follow-up device for restoring the pilot valve to its neutral position after it has been moved from said position b v the governor to bring about the opening of the valve V1 to a given extent.

When the valve V1 is opened, steam flows from the conduit 10 to a steam chest 18 and from said chest through the nozzles or p sages D1 into the turbine, the quantity supplied to the nozzles or passages being regulated by the extent to which the governor opens the valve. lf the load conditions gall tor the admission ol more steam than can be supplied through the nozzles or passages D1 when the valve V1 is open, the governor then begins to open the valve V2 more or less to supply a regulated quantity of steam to the nozzles D2. As the valve V2 opens, steam Hows from the steam chest 1S into the nozzles or passages D1 and also into steam chest 2O and from the last named chest through the nozzles or passages D2 into, the turbine. The turbine is thus sup plied with steam bv both sets of nozzles, devices or passages D1 and D2. If there is a demand for. more steam. the valves V1 and V2 being open. alread)r dcscril'icd. then the governor begins to open the valve Vs more or less so that some ot the steam supplied bv the conduit 10 passes through thc steam chests 1S sind Q0 in series to the steam chest and enters the turbine through the nozzles, devices or passages D3. Under this condition ol operation steam enters the turbine through all of the nozzles. being supplied to the several steam chests in series from the conduit 10, and the first two groups of nozzles receive a full supply while the last nozzles receive a more or less full supply according to the extent to which their controlling valve is opened b v the governor. lf the load decreases the governor acts to close the valves in the reverse order,

fi. e., the valve Va is closed first, then the valve V2, and finally the valve V1 begins to close, the extent to which the valves are rlosed depending of course upon the mag nitude of the change in load.

The stems of the valves V2 and V3 are pivotally connected to the lever H2, one end of which is connected to the extension. of the piston rod 19., While the other end is fulcrumed at the point L on a support such as a bracket 2l secured to the turbine casing. Fig. l also shows an overloadl valve V* which is so connected to the lever H2 that it opens subsequently to the valve Va to admit live steam to an intermediate or low ressure stage of the turbine when the load increases beyond that which can be carried by the steam supplied by all of the other valves. To avoid complication in the drawings this valve is not shown in Fig. 6, but its arrangement and operation will, it is thought, be clearly understood from the foregoing description and the drawings by any person skilled in the steam turbine art.

The turbine shown in Figs. 2 and 7 is equipped with valves V1, V2 and V3, similar to the valves V1, V2 and VS of Fig. l. Its steam chests, nozzles, governor, pilot valve and motor are similar to :those of the turbine illustrated in Fig. 6. ln Figs. 2 and 7 is also shown an overload valve V4, for admitting live steam from the steam chest 28 to one of the intermediate or lower pressure stages of the turbine through noz zles, devices, or suitable passages. The stems of the valves V1, V2 and V2 are connected to the lever H2 having a pivotal connection at one end with the extension of the piston rod 12 of the motor 13. During the opening of the valves V1, V2 and V3, the lever fulcrums about the point 1:4 on the stem of the valve V which is held against its sent by the spring F, or some equivalent device. It could be held on its seat by its own weight or by steam pressure if desi red.4 After the governor has opened the valves V1 and V2, it then moves the lever H2 farther about its pivot P, if the load continues to increase, and opens the valve V by pushing it downward until the engagement of the valve Va on its casing or the action of the stop 32, Fig. 7, prevents further opening of the valve. Then the lever H2 begins to turn about the ivot Ps as a. fulerum and opens the valve The governor closes the valves in the reverse order when the load decreases.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the full line positions of the levers H1 and H2 correspond to maximum load and their dotted line positions to minimum load or no load on the turbine.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic top view of the governing mechanism of Figs. 2 and 7 showin how the overnor, the pilot valve St, am the lever -I can be arranged in a different plane from the lever H2 and the admission valves, the line of intersection of the two planes coinciding with the axis of the valve V1 and the motor 13.

By means of this governing mechanism it is possible in a simple manner to operate valves in the lower stages of the turbine. Fig. 4 shows un example of the adaptation of the governing mechanism to a turbine having the admission valves V6 and V operated by the levers H2 and H*` for admitting live steam to some of the intermediate and low pressure stages. The lever H2 is connected to the rod of the piston K and turns about the fulcrum L. Said lever n turn operates the lever H* about the fnlcrum L.

Fig. 5 shows a modification of the apparatus of Fig. 4 in which only one additional valve V5 or admitting steam to a low pressure or intermediate stage is provided. This valve is operated` by the lever HS.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the admission valves are arranged in series relation as to the liovv of steam and that each valve receives its steam at full admission pressure when it is in operation. Through each of the admission valves passes, not only the steam for its corre spending group of nozzles or passages, but also the steam for all of the subsequent nozzles that are in operation. The steam passes serially through all of the valves and the steam chests under full load conditions and hence when the load is Alight the motive Huid is cut olf from the later valves. Thus the leakage of but one valve can affect the operation of the turbine. Owing to the rather common use of superheated steam in turbines and the consequent difficulty of keeping the valves steam-tight this arrangement assists materially in improving and maintaining the efficiency of the turbine because such leakage steam cannot be effectively used in the turbine. This is made apparent by the fact that a small amount of steam passing through a nozzle or other discharge device cannot act effectively. The valves are actuated in a simple manner by one or more levers that are preferably moved by the same hyraulic or other pressure motor that operates the first or main admission valve", while the governor has merely to do the work of operating the relatively small pilot valve. The number of pivots can be reduced as illustrated by having the 'overload valve serve as a plvotal point until all the other valves are opened when any one of said valves may act as the pivot.

V1 may be termed the main regulating valve, and V2, V', etc., the partial re latmg valves because. all of the motive llui has to ass through the valve Vx before the valves V', etc. can act thereon. It will be seen loc i aliases that the sizes of the valves successively decrease from V toward V4. This is due to the fact that the amount of steam to be handled by the valves successively decreases. It will also be seen that the movements of the several valves diler one from the other, the valve having the greater movement also being the largest so as to freely pass the steam.

It is obvious that any desired number of' valves for admitting steam to the intermediate and low pressure stages can be arranged at suitable points on the turbine and that the lever transmissions, pivotal points, etc., can be constructed in any other suitable manner. The different stages of the turbine can also be arranged on one or more shafts as preferred. f

ln accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principlc of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the appara tus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other llleaIlS.

l claim:

1. ln a governing mechanism for elastic lluid turbines, the combination of a plurality of valves arranged in series relation as to the flow of fluid, said valves regulating thc admission of motive Huid to the turbine, a motor, a controller for the motor, a speed responsive device that actuates the controller, means actuated by the motor for open-4 ing and closmg the valves 1n successive. order, and a device4 for Vpreventing overtravel of the motor.

2. In a governing mechanism for elastic fluid turbines, the combination of a plurality of valves arranged in series relation as to the (low of motive fluid, said valves regulating the admission of Huid to the turbine, a motor, a controller for the motor, a means mechanically unitingv the valves that is actuated by the motor and moves said valves in predetermined sequence, a speed responsive device that actuates the controller of the motor` and a. device for preventing overtravel of the motor.

3. [n a governing mechanism for elastic tlnid turbines, the combination of a plurality of valves arranged in series relation as to the flow of fluid, said valves regulating the admission of motive fluid to the turbine, a separate chest for each valve, a motor, a controller for the motor, a pivoted means that is attached to the valves and also to the moving member of the motor` said means actuating the valves successively, a govei n f that actuates the controller, and means pons-tiling over-travel of the motor.

i warning mechanism for an elasyturbine. the combination of a plurality of valves for regulating the admission of motive fluid to the turbine, a separate chest for each valve, said chests being serially connected, a motor, a controller for theinotor, a lever that is pivotally attached to the. stems of the valves and to the moving element of the motor, a speed responsive device that actuates the controller, and a con nection between the lever and the controller to prevent Vover-travel of the motor.

5. In a governing mechanism for an elastic'fluid turbine, the combination of a main rregulating valve, o'ne or more partial regulat'ing valves, said valves being arranged in series with respect to the passage of the 8U working fluid, a lever system for actuating mainand partial regulating valves, a motor that moves the lever system, a speed governor, and means actuated by the speed governorfor controlling the action of the motor. 35

6. In a governing mechanism for an elastic fluidf turbine, the combination of a main regulating valve, a partial regulating valve arranged in series withthe main valve respecting the passage of working fluid, an go overload valve which is normally closed, an actuator that is common to the valves, a connection between the overload valve and said actuator which acts as a` pivot for the actuator until all the partial regulating valves 9i, have opened, and a second pivotal connection between one of the valves and the actuator which acts us a pivot therefor to permit the opening of the overload valve.

'7. In a governing mechanism for an elas- 100 tic fluid turbine, the combination of a plurality of valves arranged in series relation as to the passage of motive fluid, said valves regulatin the admission of motive fluid to the tur ine, a lever that is common to the valves for actuating them successively, a fluid motor that is connected to the lever for actuating it, a pilot valve controlling the motor, a speed governor, and a means that connects a'movable part ot the governor and 110 the pilot valve to said lever.

S. ln a governing mechanism for :in elastic fluid turbine. the combination of :1 plurality of normal load valves` :in overload valve that controls the admission of' motive 115 fluid to a region of intermediate pressure in the turbine. separate chests for the valves, all of seid valves und chests being arranged in series relation with respect to the passage olY motive fluid. means for opening the nornml load vulves and then the overload valve.

:i fluid motor acting through said means to first actuate the normal loud \:\l\es and then the overload vulve upon nn increase of load on the turbine. und u gmernor means for the motor. 4

9. ln a governing mechanism lor elastic fluid turbines. the rfuvwualion of" :i pluralit'yv of relies. sepa wt'- rhlx-ls for the vulves that als daphne-fl oit imm tlv; other and 13 are serially connected as to the passage of motive lluid, lever systems for actuating the valves, :i fluid actuated motor that is cornmon to said systems, a pilot valve controlling the motor, a governor for moving the pilot valve, and a connection between one of the lever systems and the pilot valve to prevent over-travel ol the motor.

l0. In a governing mechanism for turhines, the combination of a plurality of valves serially arranged as regards the pas-- sage of motive lluid, a separate casing and stem for each valve, an actuator that is couunon to the valves and is located 0utside of the casings, fulcra for the actuator which are supported by the exposed stems of said valves, and means including a stop for one valve which permits the shifting of the fulcruin of the actuator from one stem to :mother as the load conditions change.

ll, ln a governing mechanism for turbines, the combination of a plurality of nilves serially arranged in respect to the passage of motive fluid, a separate casing for each valve, a lever that is common to the valves and is located outside of the fiuid space, fulcra for the lever, means including a stop for permitting the shifting of the fulcrum of the lever from one point to another, means for moving the lever, and a governor for controlling the action of said means.

12. In a governing mechanism for turbines, the combination of a. plurality of admission ralves arranged in series relation as to the flow ot' fluid, said valves differing in size and length of travel, the largest valve having the longest travel and passing the greatest amount of fluid, a means for actuating the valves, and a governing device for said means.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEF KARRER.

Witnesses DAVID Kaliman, EMIL C. REDINGER,

are serially connected as to the passage of motive fluid, lever systems for actuating the common to the valves and is located outside ot the casings, lulcra ior the actuator which a re supported by the exposed stems of said valves, and means including a stop for one valve which permits the shifting of the 'r'illcruni of thc actuator from one stem to another as the load conditions change.

11. In a governing mechanism for turhines, the combination of a plurality of valves serially' arranged in respect to the passage oi motive Huid, a separate casing [slaan Correction in Letters Patent No. 1,1 18.355.

size and length of` travel, the' largest valve having the longest travel and passing the greatest amount of fluid, a means for actuating the valves, and a governing device for said means.

In testimony whereof, I aix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEF KARRER.

lVitnesses A DAVID KRLEGEL,

EMIL C. REDINGER;

Signed and sealed this 5th day of January, A. D., 1915.

R. F. TWHITEHEAD,

Acting Cor/unissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,118,355, grantedNovember 24,

1914, upon the application or' J oser' Karrer, of Zurich, Switzerland, for an improvement in Arrangements for Regulating Steam-Turhines, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page line 80, for the letter n" read in.; and that theo-said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the saine may contorni to therecord of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Correction in Letters Pa1entN0.1,118,355.

lt is hereby certified that in Letters Petent No. 1,118,355` granted November 24,

1914, upon the application of Josef Karrer, of Zurich, Switzerland, for an improve i ment in Arrangements for Regulating Steam-Turbines] an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 80, for the letter n read in; und that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction i therein that the .same may coliform to the recorcl of the case in the Patent OfBee.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of January. A. D.` 1915,

[SEAL] R. F. XVHITEHEAD,

Acting Cwmfasszloner 0f Parana. 

